Understanding the fine line between heartburn or heart attack is vital so the right treatment can be given as soon as possible. Normally, it is common for some individuals to feel heart burn especially after eating which is just very uncomfortable. Heartburn is actually a symptom of GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease). Truth is,heartburn is just a sign of other digestive problems but the pain can be bad enough for a person to call for a medical emergency. Stomach acid can irritate the esophagus and cause GERD thus people feel heartburn. Individuals who normally experience heart burn take antacids as a remedy but it’s also smart to know the difference between heartburn or heart attack. People experiencing such symptoms must be able to detect the feeling well since the brain sends almost the same pain signals for the two ailments.
How does one know it is a heart attack? The best way to distinguish between heartburn or heart attack is by looking out for the following symptoms according to the Mayo Clinic website:
Chest pain does not immediately subside in a heart attack. Some medications like anti-acids can easily relieve heart burn. The person feels as if a large object is crushing the chest, has difficulty in breathing and breaks out in cold sweat. However, the pain is not just concentrated on the chest since it radiates to other parts of the body also feel pain like back, jaw, shoulders or arms. Left arm pain with chest pain is already an indicator of heart attack. Pain felt after physical exertion is one way to effectively distinguish between heartburn or heart attack.
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Dizziness or nausea accompanies the chest pain. In both cases, heartburn or heart attack produce pain but when it accompanied by dizziness, nausea or confusion it’s time to call for a medical emergency. There is no need for any delay since vital organs like heart and brain may be cut off oxygen supply that can lead to stroke or even death.
You must remember that heartburn is just an indicator and not a disease by itself but a heart attacks is a life threatening situation which calls for an emergency. Thus, being able to recognize a heart burn or heart attack is important.
